I have been in bed for 5 days with depression over all of my symptoms and wanted to see if anyone could help. Thank you in advance for reading and responding to this post. Here are my symptoms,

1. 8 months ago numbness between second and third toes on left foot

2. 4 months later burning and numbness moving up from toes to left leg now left leg and toes involved.

3. 2 months later numbness and tingling now in big toe and little toe on right foot

4. Almost immediately numbness in right leg.

5. About 1 week later, numbness in both forearms and some slight numbness in face .

6. About 1 week later twitches in arms and legs.

I am literally so scared, I have been to a neurologist he did an EMG it was normal and a boat load of blood tests all normal, yesterday he did a spinal tap and more blood tests I am waiting on results, in the meantime I am having so much anxiety and freaking out that I now think my hands are really weak, don't know if they really are or not. ( Does that make sense?) The neuro doc started me on Xanax because I'm so nervous, I wasn't nervous when this all began so he does not think anxiety related at all. I would really appreciate any words of wisdom, I am thinking the worst, that I am going to be paralyzed in a few months and dead within a year, I'm sorry probably being over dramatic, but seriously very scared, any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Jan

Jan,

Anxiety is known to exacerbate symptoms. Being calm always helps.

I know very well that fear of the unknown is a huge generator of anxiety, and since you do not have your test results yet, you are still facing the unknown. However, keep in mind that if there was something devestating in your initial evaluation then your physician would have told you at that time. Since your physician did not say anything after the EMG and general health analysis, then I doubt that there there will be any horrible news when the bloodwork and spinal fluid is evaluated completely.

Let us know how things go after you have met again with your physician to discuss the lab results.

My guess is that whatever is found it can be dealt with accordingly and you will be fine.

-Vic

Jan, I concur with Vic's comments. I just went though some pretty serious testing and did I ever flare with my pain...all of it.

Please update us on what you find out the results of the new tests.

Also, I did want to welcome you to Neuro Talk...hoping to get to know you better!!!

Thanks Vic and Tamiloo,

It's really good to be here with people who care, you are both right I need to let the Doctor do his work and just depend on the Lord ( He really is my hope), I need to calm down, this is just so upsetting. Thank you for your warm welcome, and I will let you know what the Doc says in my next appt, 3 long weeks from now.

I am looking forward to getting to know you better. Thanks, Jan

--it might be a spreading small-fiber type neuropathy. And if it truly is a neuropathy of the small fibers, it will not be diagnosable from nerve conduction or EMG studies, which only measure the gross activity of larger, myelinated nerves--specialized testing would be needed (quantitative sensory testing, sudmomotor axon reflex testing, or skin biopsy to check condition and density of small-fiber nerves, the current gold standard).

About 30% of small-fiber neuropathies are linked to diabetes or impaired glucose regulation, but there are dozens of potential etiologies. And, unfortunately, over a quarter remain stubbornly idiopathic even after extensive testing (though autoimmune or toxic causes are often suspected in those cases).

I highly recommend you come on over to our peripheral neuropathy board and read, read, and read, as well as post (lots of knowledgeable people there):

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...sprune=-1&f=20

I will do that thanks everyone. Blessings, Jan

Omg you get the arm & leg twitches too? I thought I was the only person who that happened to. When I get horrific flare ups are the twitches painful for you? Ive been this way for a about 14 months, but diagnosed with SFN in January. Im completely terrified too. Im only 21 and Im under the care of one of the top neuropathy specialists there is but they have NO CLUE how to fix me cause i dont have an Auto immune disease. So i hear your pain in being scared =( it really sucks.

hello jan

try
please try
get out of your head for a while
it isn't easy just saying it
but try, somehow
this is a wonderful way 2 start
wonderful, educated, funny, beautiful people here
we all need someone 2 lean on and tell us 2 relax, take a deep breath
u will be guided
much love
let me grab some of that terrible fear
hold on, hang in
i 2 am afraid
and yet today is here, took my meds, checking in and get a chance 2 say
WELCOME! TRY NOT 2 B AFRAID WITH ME

I just posted on peripheral neuropathy group. I have similar things going on. I have burning sensations on my face, lips, backs of hands, thighs, and forearms. Buzzing/tingling sensation in feet. Less sensation over parts of body, but not total loss. Twitches all over. Still functioning normally in general. Anxiety is high due to this scary stuff and the unknown. Doctors are not sure of what I have. Just said neuropathy. It's hard not to worry.

I hope you get some answers!

Annie